Economic impacts of short rotation woody crops in Canada

Canada is seeking cost-effective means to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2. One of the promising means is the short rotation woody crops (SRWC) plantation, a silvicultural approach to establishing and managing fast growing plantations on previously cleared lands. This paper utilizes the data set provided by recent harvesting operations at the Ellerslie SRWC Technical Development Site in Edmonton (Alberta) to assess the ability of SRWC using High Yield Afforestation to mitigate GHG emissions and generate more wood fibre and the investment attractiveness to establish future plantations. Results illustrate that at current trading prices for carbon credits and market prices of woodchips, expected rates of return on investment for SRWC were relatively low, despite a positive net present value ($400/ha for 20 year planting cycle without carbon credits). However, estimates from the Ellerslie site indicate that 330 tons of CO2-eq per hectare are captured above and below ground over the 20 year plantation cycle. However, higher future carbon prices, a well-developed market for buying and selling carbon credits, as well as adapted policy including additional government sponsored programs for carbon credits, could make SRWC more attractive and dramatically change the economics of afforestation in the future.

Hydromulches as a possible alternative to herbicides in organic woody crops.

<p>One of the main problems associated to woody crops is the weed control. This activity is mainly done by the application of herbicides and repetitive tillage, with the consequent environmental problems in the first case and the progressive soil erosion and fuel fossil consumption in the second one. Plastic mulches, mainly composed of polyethylene, are also used for this purpose, but they are mostly employed in vegetable crops. Additionally, weed control is especially complicated in young woody crops, which are very sensitive to phytotoxicities derived from herbicides and the use of machinery can damage the tree trunks, and also in established plantations, mainly in intensively managed orchards. Besides, all these problems are especially pronounced in organic farming, where the use of chemical herbicides are not allowed.</p><p>For this purpose, three mixtures based on by-products derived from the agricultural sector, mixed with a binder and recycled paper paste and applied in liquid form on the ground with subsequent solidification (hydromulch) were evaluated, focused on the effect on weed control in an intensive almond crop and in young olive trees grown in big containers. Controls included manual weeding and no-weeding treatments.</p><p>In summary, and a basis for future tests, hydromulches exerted an acceptable weed control, although weeds can emerge through cracks in continuous formation, and especially when the material is softened by water. These preliminary results position hydromulches as an interesting alternative to herbicides and the conventional machinery and plastic mulches widely used.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: hydromulches, weed control, organic farming.</p><p><strong>Acknowledgements</strong>: Project RTA2015-00047-C05-03 - INIA (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness).</p>

The role of biorefinering research in the development of a modern bioeconomy

The current economy system is based in an intensive consumption of fossil fuels in a way that severely compromise future of the planet due to the severe consequences in climate change. In this scenario, the development of flexible and integrated biorefineries to produce biofuels and bioproducts from renewable biomass sources represent a key tool to perform the transition from a petroleum-based economy to a novel bioeconomy that looks for a more efficient and sustainable global development. This article analyses: the significance of biomass sources (such as agricultural and woody crops and residues, agro-food and wood processing industries residues and urban wastes) as feedstocks in the biorefinery, the most relevant biorefinering process technologies of the biochemical and thermochemical conversion pathways that are nowadays under development, and the need of further research and innovation effort to eventually achieve the commercialization and application in the market of the different biorefinery products.

Plant Parasitic Nematodes on Paulownia tomentosa in Poland

Fast growing woody crops are currently a very important source for the generation of energy biomass. As short-rotation woody crops, the genus Paulownia has already attracted growing attention. These trees are used to produce biomass and reduce the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. Most projects for biomass production, however, may affect soil properties and status. For this reason, it is important to know the effects of Paulownia plantations on the microbiological properties of the soils on agricultural areas in Poland. This article provides information on plant parasitic nematodes inhabiting the root zone of Paulownia tomentosa L. in Poland. The only report of Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood, 1949 shows the potential pathogenicity of the root-knot nematodes. Furthermore, nothing is known about plant parasitic nematodes inhabiting the root zone of Paulownia tomentosa L.in Poland. Determining the trophic group of plant parasitic nematodes was undertaken by a process of centrifugation. Measurements showed a decrease in the population reproduction factor (Pf/Pi) which reached a value of 0.1. Paulownia tomentosa L. taken from seven different locations in Poland revealed the presence of M. hapla.

The rise of the Mediterranean woody crops in Southern Spain

The area occupied by woody crops in Spain has undergone an enormous increase in size and, more importantly, a profound green revolution that generates enormous harvest volumes that nourish the important national agro-export sector, where products such as olive oil, wine and almonds reach a notable significance. The processes of intensification follow a common pattern, which involves the occupation of the flattest and most fertile soils by firms with an ownership structure favourable for investment; the use of new varieties; and the design of denser planting patterns in which irrigation is an indispensable element and mechanization ubiquitous. The management of digitized spatial information has allowed us to map the evolution of the land uses of the olive grove, the vineyard and the almond orchard in each of the provinces where the regional specialization in these crops is greatest. This has allowed us to learn the key spatial/temporal aspects of these processes of change that are far from complete and that have led to a profound modification of agricultural landscapes, such that fragmentation and polyculture are giving way to geometry, compactness and the concentration of monoculture.